Welcome to the InTouch podcast with Charles Stanley for Wednesday, February 25th. Join us in the final message of our series, Countdown to Judgment. As Dr. Stanley reveals the meaning of the crowns of reward and how they will be used in eternity.
Now if you'll turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 3 for a moment. And you'll recall in this chapter, in the first few verses, that Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, and they're having a little, shall we say, church skirmish over something. And that is, some of them said that, well, Apollos is a far better speaker than the Apostle Paul. And, oh, no, Paul is a theologian of theologians. And so they were having a little dissertation about all that.
And so here's what Paul said in the fifth verse of this third chapter. What then is Apollos, and what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
So then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. And then here's what he says.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one. But each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. And we've spent time talking about that very fact, that each one of us will receive the reward that we deserve. Listen, not compared to someone else or what they did or didn't do, but each one will receive award. According to our good deeds.
Now, I want us to think about. what these look like and what this reward is all about. And I want you to think about it first of all in this light, that one of the rewards is going to be the fact that you and I are going to have absolute, total, complete intimacy with Jesus Christ. He says in Romans 8, 29, He says God has predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. And how many times have we talked about this?
That is, an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ means one that is. Not just personal. But it goes beyond that. An intimate relationship. Is a deep, abiding relationship.
Jesus Christ desires that you and I live in an intimate relationship with Him. And that intimacy, listen, when you understand it. It supersedes any physical intimacy known to man because listen. You're relating to a holy God. who loves perfectly.
and everything He does toward us is for our good and is absolutely perfect. One of his rewards is that you and I are going to have a relationship with him that is absolutely perfect. And then, of course, one of the things that's very difficult for us to conceive of. is the fact that we will be able to reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, first of all, what what in the world is glory? The glory of God. is The radiance of His Holiness His love and his power. None of us could stand in his presence. without being totally blinded.
We can't conceive of what perfect holiness is.
So When you and I stand before Him and He accepts us into glory. We're going to reflect. And I believe one of the Rewards for his children is this. Watch this carefully. The more obedient life that we've lived, And the more good works that we've done, And whatever small or great or whatever they may be.
The more Of that is a part of our life. when he judges us, He will give us, listen, a capacity to radiate him. For all eternity. He said, well, now what's that got to do with me? Here's what it has to do.
It has to do with this. that you and I Will shine forth in heaven, listen, to the degree to which we've lived a godly life. One of these days, listen. We're going to be His children, clothed in His glory. because of his precious gift it was at the judgment.
You see, the judgment's all about Jesus. You haven't heard me say a thing you're going to get. Because that's not what the judgment's about. It's about Listen, it's about rewards. And I'm going to show you why in a moment.
It's about rewards that have to do with our relationship to Him. We will reflect who he is, his honor and his glory and all the rest. Then of course? When I think about that, I think about the crowns that he talks about. And he talks about five of them, and I want us to talk about them for a moment.
Well, these are for those who have lived a godly life. and whose deeds have been good. depending upon what they are. And how faithful we have been.
So let's talk about, there are five of them. I'll give you a verse of Scripture. Let's start with 1 Corinthians 13. chapter 9 and verse 25. This is the incorruptible crown or the crown of victory.
And this crown is given to, and you see, all of us should receive this crown, at least most of us. And listen to what he says. Paul is talking about running a race and those who win and so forth. And he says in verse 25: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things, so living a separated life. And he says, Um They receive Yeah.
They then do it receive a perishable crown. and that was one that would just wither away round their neck. but we an imperishable one. Therefore I run in such a way as not without aim, I box in such a way as not beating the air. But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Now This Crown is given to those who live the Christian life. who face the issues, difficulties, hardship, pain, and trials. Who've sinned against God, but they're quick to confess. who sin against God and they repent of it. And it's living the Christian life and not giving up.
It's dealing with issues that maybe are difficult to deal with. But the whole issue is perseverance. And the whole issue of the crown of life is that Listen, we don't disqualify ourselves. By getting into sin and living a life of disobedience to God. But it's living it out.
As tough as it may be, we refuse to give up. We don't give up. We persevere no matter what. And what does he say? He says, that is the crown of life.
Then, if you'll notice, let's look at 1 Thessalonians 2 for a moment, and that is the crown of rejoicing. And I want to go back to something here. 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. And because rejoicing over what? And uh he's um Very clear about that.
And um Look, if you will, in the second chapter. And verse 18: For we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, more than once, and yet Satan hindered me. For who is our hope? or joy or crown of exultation or crown of rejoicing. Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming?
For you are our glory and joy? What is he talking about? Just what we mentioned a few moments ago. One of those crowns is a crown. Listen.
For rejoicing, what? Over being able to have had a part in someone else coming to Jesus Christ. And some people call that the soul winner's crown. Then of course Now look in 2 Timothy 4, verse 8, the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4.
And notice uh what he says in uh this eighth verse. He says, And if you'll notice, this is Paul coming to the end of his life, and he's writing young Timothy to encourage him. And he says to him, But you be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry, for I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight. I finished the course.
I've kept the faith. He went through all kinds of difficulty, hardship, and pain, and trials. In the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness. Which the Lord The righteous judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.
So what is he saying? He says, when you and I live a godly life, There is a relationship between living godly and expecting Jesus Christ to return. And here's what you're going to find. People who don't live godly have no interest in the coming of Jesus. You just think about it.
You ask your Christian friends, you ask people that are lost. Are you looking for Jesus to return? And if they say to you, well, I don't know. Then you should say to them, well, the Bible says he's coming back and I'm looking for him. And they're probably going to say, well, good luck, or something like that, because you know what?
They're so ignorant of the truth. The truth is, they don't know what to say. And if they're living that kind of life, they don't want him to come back.
So when I ask you a question. Are you living a righteous life? You shall how will I know, here's how ye know. You get up tomorrow morning. And Your heart is bent toward God.
You get up in the morning and Today, the most important thing in my life is obeying God. I want to listen to him. I want to walk in his way. I want to be sensitive to those around me. I want Him to accomplish His will and purpose in my life.
I do not want to waste any part of this day, God. I want you to have your life, and I want you to be honored and glorified in my life today. If that's the way you get up, that's righteousness. What am I saying? It's your mindset.
What do you think about? Do you think about what you're going to get, or do you think about how God is going to use you this day? to make a difference in somebody's life. What are we living for? Listen, let's face it, it's short.
Life is short. And if you're about 35 or 40, you'd say, oh, well, well, well, I don't know whether it's so short or not.
Well, let me just tell you, you might not get home this afternoon. Then you'd find out how short it is. Life is short. Light is tough. Life is difficult.
There's suffering, there's heartache, there's pain, there's joy, there's happiness, there's peace, there's contentment. It's a big mixture. What am I responsible for? Obedience. I can't change my circumstances sometimes, most of the time.
Can't change the way everybody else does, but I can choose to be obedient to God. and living obedient to him. brings great reward. Then of course There is the Reward, as we said, the crown of life. Look in James, if you will.
And all of us have been here. And we'd like to think we'd I might get a reward for this and Depends on how we've responded to it, I think. But James, the first chapter, here's what he says. 12th verse, blessed is a man or a woman who listen to this, this is a key, perseveres under trial, hangs in there, doesn't give up, doesn't quit, doesn't doubt God. For once he has been approved, He will receive the crown of life.
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. What is he saying? He says, watch this. And sometimes people say, well, you know what? I don't like all this suffering and hearty.
I don't even like to hear sermons on that. Do you realize what he just said? That listen, when you and I go through suffering and heartache and pain and troubles and trials and tribulations. Listen, he says when we hang in there and trust him, we're going to get rewarded for it. And when people try to avoid all the pain and suffering in their life, they don't realize what they're missing.
Number one, they're not ever going to grow up as a Christian. Number two, they're not ever going to mature as a child of God. And number three, they're going to miss an awesome blessing for all eternity. Remember what we said? These rewards are eternal.
And so he's simply saying here. that as we go through those suffering and trials of life, The crown of life. God's going to honor it.
Now, there's one last one, and this is the one that puts all the folks who Uh serve the Lord. And a very Challenging position. Listen to what he says. 1 Peter 5, Therefore I exhalt the elders, or pastors, among you as your fellow elder, witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that's to be revealed. He says, Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion.
but voluntarily. According to the will of God, not for sordid gain or money, but with eagerness, a desire, a hunger, or a thirst to get it done. nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock and when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Now, what does that say? about people who are pastors. We will be tested. and tried In a way greater than others, for the simple reason. We have had so much truth in this book.
We've had so much truth. And we've had so many opportunities to share it. And we can either share it absolutely. As genuinely authentically as we possibly can. But the purpose not of praise.
Not of any kind of acclaim. Not the people's approval. not to get some denominational award. Or Any of that? but simply because it is our calling, Because it is God's call upon our life.
It is our responsibility And we must be true to the Word of God. This is why I say. every once in a while. A man who holds this book. Who's been called to preach the gospel?
and does not genuinely interpret the Word of God. as clearly and as simply as possible. from what he understands. If he does not, and he compromises his convictions. And interprets the word to please other people, he will suffer great loss.
At the judgment. because we have such great opportunity. and such awesome responsibility. Then the question comes, So what are we going to do with them? And um Somebody says, well, I guess we can carry them into heaven.
And let's suppose you had four crowns. Where are you going to put them? You can't wear four. Watch this. This is all about Jesus.
Revelation chapter 4, verse 10. the twenty four elders, which represents the body of Christ the Church, will fall down before him, Jesus, who sits on the throne, and will worship him, who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy are you, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things and because of, listen, because of your will, they existed and were created. What are we going to do? Lay him at his feet.
We're not going to be wearing anything. Think about this. Who gave you life, Jesus? Who has a will for your life, Jesus? Who gifted you and equipped you?
Jesus Who gave you the skills that you have? Who gave you the health that you have, the body that you have? Who has Listen, who went to the cross and died on the cross for your sins and paid your sin debt in full by his atoning sacrificial listen, all substitutionary death? Who has dwelt in you in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit? Who has been with you every single day, providing your needs, protecting you, and guiding you and leading you?
The Lord Jesus Christ. And everything good that's happened in your life and mine and through us has been Him.
So why would we want crowns? They belong to the Son of God. The most important thing to think about right now is this. Lord, is my life a righteous life? Lord, is my life counting in any way?
for the kingdom and what you're trying to accomplish. Lord Are my days just days filled with stuff? Are they fruitful days? Have I made a difference in somebody's life today? What difference is it making right now?
that you're a child of God. Listen, on your way. to the judgment seat of Christ. Uh Thank you for listening to part two of Our Eternal Rewards. If you'd like to know more about Charles Stanley or InTouch Ministries, stop by intouch.org.
This podcast is a presentation of InTouch Ministries, Atlanta, Georgia.
